1978 Plymouth Trailduster, 440, 4wd, Auto & 1985 Dodge Ramcharger, 360, 4wd, 4spd
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Hey guys, new guy here.
A few months ago I went crazy and bought a 1985 Ramcharger off ebay (360, 4wd, 4spd) and then a few days ago I saw a 1978 Plymouth Trailduster for sale near me (440, 4wd, auto). I had the bug by then and I bought it figuring I will get rid of one. They both need some TLC and I'm not a mechanic so been doing some googling and ended up here. I was really just looking for a cool daily driver or maybe something to drive on weekends. On the list to do...on the 1985 it needs tires and try to tighten up the steering. The tires are cheap and drive like marshmellows. Mechanic said front end looks good, get new tires and let him try to tighten steering for me but I haven't done anything yet. I got hung up on whether to try to put a lift kit on it and then bigger tires or just go more stock (even though those aren't stock rims obviously). I hadn't driven a stick in a while...hahah...but it was like riding a bike. I'm 55 so I used to drive sticks on work trucks and my mustang but I forgot what a pain in the ass it can be. But that's just me.
On the Trailduster...when I drove it home...the list would be something like this...Carburetor feels like it's flooding when you get on it like it bogs down instead of go and exhaust manifold sounds like maybe it has a leak. Sounds like a helicopter sometimes? lol. Oh, and of course the steering is a little loose. Not so much that I didn't drive at speed but enough that you have to pay attention when it goes a little squirrelly. Oh, and I really wish I had a hardtop (I've looked a little and realize this may be difficult to come by). Oh, and AC doesn't work very well at all. On the 1985 either. They always say COLD AC but you know how that goes. Anyway, I always loved the Ramchargers and fantasized about having one when I was young but...well, 2 wives later, 3 kids, 4 or 5 houses and a career...oh well, maybe I can finally have a toy for me. Hahahah.
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A few months ago I went crazy and bought a 1985 Ramcharger off ebay (360, 4wd, 4spd) and then a few days ago I saw a 1978 Plymouth Trailduster for sale near me (440, 4wd, auto). I had the bug by then and I bought it figuring I will get rid of one. They both need some TLC and I'm not a mechanic so been doing some googling and ended up here. I was really just looking for a cool daily driver or maybe something to drive on weekends. On the list to do...on the 1985 it needs tires and try to tighten up the steering. The tires are cheap and drive like marshmellows. Mechanic said front end looks good, get new tires and let him try to tighten steering for me but I haven't done anything yet. I got hung up on whether to try to put a lift kit on it and then bigger tires or just go more stock (even though those aren't stock rims obviously). I hadn't driven a stick in a while...hahah...but it was like riding a bike. I'm 55 so I used to drive sticks on work trucks and my mustang but I forgot what a pain in the ass it can be. But that's just me.
On the Trailduster...when I drove it home...the list would be something like this...Carburetor feels like it's flooding when you get on it like it bogs down instead of go and exhaust manifold sounds like maybe it has a leak. Sounds like a helicopter sometimes? lol. Oh, and of course the steering is a little loose. Not so much that I didn't drive at speed but enough that you have to pay attention when it goes a little squirrelly. Oh, and I really wish I had a hardtop (I've looked a little and realize this may be difficult to come by). Oh, and AC doesn't work very well at all. On the 1985 either. They always say COLD AC but you know how that goes. Anyway, I always loved the Ramchargers and fantasized about having one when I was young but...well, 2 wives later, 3 kids, 4 or 5 houses and a career...oh well, maybe I can finally have a toy for me. Hahahah.
